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Chic in Cornwall

by habituallychic

03 . 16 . 11
Whenever it rains, I think of England.  I’m obsessed with English manor homes lately.  I think it stems from the fact that other than Biltmore Estate, we don’t have anything like them in the United States.  Actually, most of the English homes are older than the United States!  Port Eliot seen here is over 500 years old and is set on 6,000 acres in Cornwall , England.  It is home to Peregrine Nicholas Eliot, the tenth Earl of St. Germans and his wife Catherine, The Countess of St. Germans.  It was featured in Vogue Living in 2007 and has been a favorite ever since.  The ninth Earl and his wife were also photographed for Vogue by Horst and were featured in his 1968 book Vogue’s Book of Houses, Gardens, People
I almost bought a book about English homes at the flea market this weekend but didn’t because it had been marked up in red pen.  I wish I had now because I’m sure Port Eliot would have been listed.  Of course, we Americans who love our instant heat and hot water would probably not enjoy living in these old homes so it’s probably best that we don’t have any here.  But you can always visit and tour Port Eliot when it’s open to the public for 100 days each year.  You just might want to wear your Barbour jacket and Wellies in case it rains.  Cheerio!
Port Eliot Exterior

Roo, the family’s famous whippet in another entrance.
Entrance Hall

The Enfilade
Part of the house was remodeled by Sir John Soane including the drawing room.

Looking into the library from the drawing room.

The Earl of St. Germans

The Drawing Room

The drawing room set for a party.

The Round Room

The Round Room

The Salon

The Salon

Edwardian bamboo sun chair.

The Morning Room was hung with red damask in the 1890’s.

The Morning Room

The Staircase Hall or Lobby
The Staircase Hall or Lobby

Guest Bedroom

Guest bedroom with 17th-century upholstered bed.

Lord and Lady St. Germans in the servants wing that is now used for storage.

The 19th-century china closet in the basement.

The Kitchen

Garden Entrance

Garden and Orangery

The Orangery

The Orangery Interior

The Fountain

The Fountain

Port Eliot

Lord and Lady St. Germans

15 Comments
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  1. - - - - March 16, 2011 | 9:42 pm

    I love it… it’s so beautiful, thanks for posting!

  2. christy March 16, 2011 | 9:51 pm

    WOW….. my breath is taken away. SO much eye candy on one single post..almost too much to take in one sitting! FABULOUS…that chandelier in the round room, the kitchen, the grounds, the soaring ceilings, the gorgeous old floors…all so incredible. Thanks for the treat!

  3. Pigtown-Design March 16, 2011 | 11:16 pm

    i can tell you from the experience of living in an old house in the uk… instant hot water is close to heaven. ours took about two or three hours to heat and then cut out in about five minutes. all of this in a bathroom with no heat. brrrrrr.

  4. A Dance With Grace March 17, 2011 | 12:06 am

    Fabulous eye candy :). LOVE the orangery! Thanks for posting!

  5. meenal bishnoi March 17, 2011 | 4:25 am

    beautiful images…the living room is so gorgeous with all the details…from the wall color…the ceiling and that amazing chandelier…i’d love to be a guest of the Lord and the lady of this manor…who look like very interesting people themselves…thank for sharing , heather…do check out my gilt-themed post when you have a moment! xx meenal

  6. Allison Egan March 17, 2011 | 9:16 am

    So So beautiful! I especially love the china closet and the kitchen! Just stunning!
    Allison
    Spicer + Bank

  7. Heidiopia March 17, 2011 | 10:43 am

    Wouldn’t you love to just wander through these rooms? I’ve always wanted a morning room…must be the Old Soul in me. Great post! 🙂

  8. Karolina March 17, 2011 | 12:40 pm

    I have exactly the same crush. Have you ever watch British tv drama ‘Downton Abbey’? I bet you would love it: http://slowly–surely.blogspot.com/2011/02/downton-abbey-love.html

  9. Dabney March 17, 2011 | 1:58 pm

    I love the slightly shabby aspect of everything that colors all the grandeur; a true hallmark of authentic “old money.” But palm trees in England? What is up with that?

  10. Meredith March 17, 2011 | 2:16 pm

    Take a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, if you want to see fabulous stately homes.

  11. Ree March 17, 2011 | 3:21 pm

    What a gorgeous home…I’d love to snoop through those storage rooms…I grew up in an ancient farm house…Cold was the rule…One just put on more clothing…

  12. tdclassicist March 18, 2011 | 3:01 am

    What a house! That 17th century upholstered bed is wonderful. And the murals of the round room are fantastic.

  13. Slim Paley March 18, 2011 | 5:08 am

    Please just plonk me in that Edwardian bamboo sun chair- it was mine in another life anyway!

  14. kimberj March 18, 2011 | 9:29 am

    I would love to visit the place but it looks like you’re living in a tomb. All those old family pieces must be claustrophobic to live among. I’d have to have a few rooms to make my own.

  15. Joseph the Butler March 19, 2011 | 3:10 pm

    what a very beautiful and cool home. love it. Can’t imagine what the staff has to do to keep it up. Well, I can, but oh my, what work.